62. Let's do it next time.
"Lord, welcome."
Mo Yong-bai looked at me with a flustered expression, scanning me from head to toe.
I was in a state of rubbing the blood from my shoes into the dirt.
"Teacher, did I come too late?" Mo Yong-bai shook his head.
"It's fine. Please come in."
"Weren't you about to leave?" "It's nothing serious. I was just thinking of buying some dumplings, but we can eat them next time. By the way, did something happen?" "Let's go inside."
As soon as Mo Yong-bai sat down, he reached out his hand.
"Let me check your pulse."
I obediently offered my wrist.
While checking my pulse, Mo Yong-bai observed my eyes, my complexion, and even the bloodstains on my clothes.
"Are you injured?" "No." "You don't seem to have any major issues, but you look particularly tired. It seems you've used a lot of energy. Did you fight again?" "Well, I tend to fight often. It's just part of my daily life."
I nodded.
"Would you like a warm cup of tea?" "That sounds good."
After asking the physician for tea, Mo Yong-bai asked me, "Where did you end up fighting today?" "You know that the Great Nacchal is dead, right?" "How could I not know?" "With the Great Nacchal dead, it seems the dark forces around him are gathering. So, I was on my way back from the Unwoo Association."
Mo Yong-bai nodded.
"You had a match at the Unwoo Association, then. Lord, shall we have a more honest conversation today?" "That sounds good."
Mo Yong-bai smiled at me.
"It seems like the heart demon is standing at your door, Lord."
I chuckled.
"I thought so, which is why I came to see you. I often feel like I'm becoming the patient."
After killing the vice president of the Unwoo Association, I had released the dancers and ended up killing more who came at me during that process.
Suddenly, I felt that if I returned like this and faced the teacher, I would truly become a rampaging demon, so I restrained myself and came to see Mo Yong-bai.
I wanted to be a rational demon trying to fix my problems, not a demon driven mad by slaughter.
A slightly improved demon compared to my past life—that was my goal.
And seeking a physician when in pain is also the way of the martial world.
Mo Yong-bai asked, "What happened at the Unwoo Association?" "Nothing special. I think I killed a few with an axe."
"How did you kill with an axe...?" "I split their skulls."
"Whether by sword, axe, or fist, killing is the same, isn't it? Did you perhaps kill someone you shouldn't have by mistake?" "Not at all."
"Then where does the unrest in your eyes come from, Lord?" "I don't know."
Mo Yong-bai looked at me with a faint smile.
Just then, the physician brought in the tea and set it on the table.
Mo Yong-bai poured the tea himself and said, "Do you know anything about poison, Lord?" I shook my head.
"I probably know less than you."
It made me laugh that the former poison master was asking me about poison.
Mo Yong-bai, who had not yet become a poison master, shared his thoughts on poison.
"Poison is originally a medicine."
"How so? Poison kills people, while medicine saves them."
Mo Yong-bai pointed to the tea.
"Please drink."
I took a sip of the clear tea with Mo Yong-bai.
He continued, "The most powerful poisons in the world mostly come from insects, plants, and animals. Martial artists forcibly borrow poison from them."
"That's true."
"However, the conditions for these poisons to activate, or should I say, the reflex actions, often occur when the insects that contain the poison are in danger of their own lives. Most of the time, they use it for survival. Their purpose is different from that of martial artists. They use it to avoid death, so it's essentially like medicine. Some poisons kill people when consumed, while others help with recovery. That's why we distinguish between poison and medicine, but originally, they are the same."
"Is that so? I agree to some extent, but there are also ambiguous parts."
Mo Yong-bai nodded.
"You can just take it as my opinion and move on. The same goes for the heart demon. If you draw upon the poison of the heart, there will inevitably be repercussions. Insects sometimes release poison and then die themselves. Or they may release poison during the process of being eaten, leading to mutual destruction with their predators."
"That's similar to the concept of mutual destruction in herbivores."
"Exactly."
"So, are you saying that there is poison in my heart that is harming me?" "Isn't that the case? Killing evil people also weighs on the heart. And it's normal for a person to feel that way."
I tilted my head.
This was a slightly different story from explaining my heart demon.
However, since Mo Yong-bai was so serious, I couldn't deny it.
"Then what should I do?" Mo Yong-bai laughed heartily, which was rare for him.
"Just do it moderately."
I couldn't help but chuckle at Mo Yong-bai's expression.
It was amusing to hear a man who had been more obsessed with slaughter than I was during my demon days tell me to do it moderately.
I nodded.
"Since you have taught me to do it moderately, I will try to do so."
Mo Yong-bai poured tea again and said, "Do it moderately. Share with your companions. As you grow stronger, you can afford to forgive once or twice. If you use all the poison of your heart, it will harm you, Lord."
I agreed with this.
It was because of my past life.
In my previous life, Mo Yong-bai saved me with poison, and this time he was soothing my heart.
Unexpectedly, Mo Yong-bai said, "Killing the Samawaido is necessary, but in the case of the Murim Alliance, the members have established strict laws to prevent them from going berserk. It is rare for them to be executed on the spot; usually, they are taken to the alliance for processing. This is not a law to protect the criminals but, in a way, a law to protect the members."
"That's a perspective I haven't heard before."
At this point, I asked a question that had been on my mind.
I thought this might touch on the root of my heart demon.
"There is someone I hate the most in this world."
"Yes."
"He is an incredibly strong master, with powerful subordinates. If I were to become strong enough to defeat that master, and if all those beneath him hated and despised me, would it be right for me to kill them all?" "There's no need for that."
"That worries me a bit."
"Such organizations are only found in religions. Is the Celestial Demon Cult your enemy?" I smiled instead of answering.
Mo Yong-bai, with a tense expression, said, "To consider the three disasters of the martial world as your enemies, I must have underestimated you, Lord."
"I've had big ambitions for a long time."
"Indeed."
I judged that Mo Yong-bai was frightened during his time as a physician, so I reassured him.
"I will ensure you are not harmed, so don't worry."
At that moment, perhaps a crack appeared in Mo Yong-bai's pride.
He suddenly said to me, "I've heard that all the masters belonging to the three disasters are immune to all poisons."
"Well, I have no intention of using poison to kill the masters of the world, so it doesn't concern me."
Mo Yong-bai shook his head.
"That's not it."
"Then what?" "I will study a bit and make you immune to a hundred poisons and a thousand poisons, Lord. If you develop resistance to poison, it will be easier for you to face the Samawaido."
"A hundred poisons?" Mo Yong-bai was a practical man.
"That's a bit difficult."
Mo Yong-bai and I both laughed.
"I should be going now. I have a feeling that the black forces, including the teacher, won't leave me alone..."
"Please stand up."
As I walked out, escorted by Mo Yong-bai, he suddenly asked, "Lord."
"Speak."
"Have I ever treated someone close to you?" What kind of intention is behind this question? I felt a bit startled and chose my words carefully.
"I don't know why you are asking that."
Mo Yong-bai replied with an awkward expression.
"I was just saying it because you showed me such deep kindness."
I nodded.
"Hmm, that could be possible."
After saying goodbye to Mo Yong-bai, I answered his question.
"In life, there are times when it feels right to kill someone at first sight. The reason is unknown. Perhaps you saved me in my past life."
As I smiled, Mo Yong-bai shook his head.
"That can't be."
"Why not?" Mo Yong-bai smiled and said, "I must have been a martial artist in my past life. I killed too many people, so in this life, I was given the karma to care for and heal many people... I've often thought that."
As I looked at Mo Yong-bai, a chill ran down my spine, but I replied calmly, "That could be the case. Let's both take care of our health."
"Take care, Lord."
Mo Yong-bai bowed his head.
I also bowed my head in response, unable to return the gesture of the martial world.
The unease I felt in my heart was not completely resolved.
After all, it could be the burden of considering many masters of the martial world as my enemies.
However, after talking with Mo Yong-bai, I felt much more at ease.
After all, this person was someone I could confide in, and being a naturally clever man, he understood my wandering to some extent.
Only then did I notice the flowers and trees re-entering my view.
Breathing became much easier.
Feeling the heart demon that had been knocking at my door retreat, I returned to the Black Cat Chamber.
Upon arriving at the Black Cat Chamber, it seemed there were others who had come before me, as there was a commotion.
As I headed towards the main hall for a moment, I imagined the scene unfolding inside.
The ones I had called were the Twelve Divine Guardians, Doko-seng, and Cha Seong-tae, among others.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a single person that Cha Seong-tae could defeat.
I could easily picture Cha Seong-tae quietly observing from some corner.
"Tsk."
I opened the main hall door wide and paused for a moment to assess the atmosphere inside. "……."
Doko-seng had not yet arrived.
However, the Twelve Divine Guardians and the executives of the Black Cat Chamber, including So Gun-pyeong, were all gathered.
The Twelve Divine Guardians and the executives of the Black Cat Chamber were seated on either side, while Cha Seong-tae sat in the central seat of honor.
"Hmm?" Cha Seong-tae stood up and took a stance towards me.
"Lord, you have arrived."
Only then did the others also show their respect towards me.
"Lord, you have come."
"Great Master, you have arrived."
As I approached the seat of honor, Cha Seong-tae pulled out a chair for me.
After sitting in the seat of honor, I looked at Cha Seong-tae and also observed the atmosphere of the Twelve Divine Guardians and the other executives.
"Everyone, please sit."
"Yes."
"There may be some people seeing each other for the first time, but have introductions been made?" Cha Seong-tae, standing beside me, replied, "It's all done."
I was a person full of curiosity.
I felt a bit petty, but to satisfy my curiosity, I asked Cha Seong-tae, "Why are you sitting in the seat of honor?" Cha Seong-tae calmly replied, "I am the commander of the Hao Moon Sect."
"That's true."
The straightforward Hong Shin interjected, "I heard you claim to be the second-in-command of the Hao Moon Sect. Is that right, Great Master?" I turned my head sharply to meet Cha Seong-tae's gaze.
He was silently pleading with his eyes. 'Please say yes.' 'I raised a little fox.' The very person who was borrowing the tiger's might was right before my eyes.
I was relieved that I hadn't raised a tiger cub, but I shook my head.
"That won't do. Cha Seong-tae is just the commander of the Hao Moon Sect. There is no second-in-command. However, being a commander is an important position, so treat him accordingly. As you can see, he's someone who would die with just a hit or two."
Only then did the expressions of the Twelve Divine Guardians brighten.
As Cha Seong-tae moved to a corner, I said, "Cha Seong-tae."
"Yes."
I continued to tease Cha Seong-tae.
"If you want to complain, get stronger. You useless fool, pathetic guy, someone who has lost to Samabi dozens of times, someone who is borrowing the tiger's might."
Cha Seong-tae, who had settled in the back, replied to my words.
"That's not true. The people here have met strong masters, taken elixirs, and learned good martial arts, so they must have become stronger. I have no master, haven't seen elixirs, and have just swung my sword to survive. So, I can't guarantee a victory in a fight based solely on external power."
So Gun-pyeong, who had been quietly listening, glared at Cha Seong-tae.
"Shall we have a match based solely on external power right now?" Cha Seong-tae glared back at So Gun-pyeong and replied, "Let's do it next time."
It was a trivial remark, but Hong Shin suddenly burst into laughter, and when Hong Shin laughed, Geum-hae also laughed, followed by the Four Divine Guardians chuckling, and eventually, everyone except Cha Seong-tae laughed.
I couldn't help but laugh as well.
"Make sure to do it next time."
"Yes."